The Graybeards Nov/Dec 2005 - Korean War Veterans Association

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60 I never did see the Repose. When the Consolation arrived in Pusan, I was transferred to it, while the Haven rotated back stateside. The Consolation then sailed to Inchon and other ports nearer the 38th Parallel. I remained on the Consolation until the signing of the armistice. In Inchon, there was a smaller hospital ship, the Jutlandia, from Denmark. I had the privilege of visiting the ship’s hospital personnel during our stay there. The hospital ship the Benevolence was also scheduled to serve in Korea. I heard that it sank within fifteen minutes under the Golden Gate Bridge while on a trial run. Tony Ybarra, 1653 Glenville Drive, San Jose, CA 95124, (408) 264-2020 EDITOR’S NOTE: Mr. Ybarra is correct. According to http://troopships.pier 90.or/ships, the Benevolence was launched 10 July 1944 under a Maritime Commission contract as Marine Lion. It served until the end of the war—and beyond. Then, “On 25 August 1950 while returning from sea trials, prior to her assignment to the Military Sea Transportation Service, Benevolence collided with the freighter Mary Luckenback and sank off San Francisco.” Memories of Medics Last night, as I my head rested on my tear-stained pillow, memories of Korea 52 years earlier came flooding through. Samuel F. Gann (Photo courtesy of Hank Nicols) Danish hospital ship The Jutlandia in background in Inchon Harbor Patients were received by landing craft in Inchon Bay I was a combat medic serving with some of America’s best medical teams. These memories will be with me forever; witnessing how these skilled medical veterans took care of the wounded is beyond measure. So, today, I salute all who survived the war. But, our greatest tribute goes to those who did not. They are the real heroes— and America’s best. Samuel F. Gann, 2201 East 65th Street, Indianapolis, IN 46220, (317) 253-1171, s.gann@worldnet.att.net You Don’t Want To Be A Republican Or Democrat? Veterans are always griping about political parties—-and that veterans have no representation in Washington—city—- county—or state. One way to correct this is for the veteran to change his party affiliation to “The Veterans Party of America”. All one has to do is go to the County Registration Office and enroll—-one may still vote for whomever he desires but it will sure wake up the politicians from the other two parties. Florida was the first state to accomplish this. Veterans with computers can access information about this party by going to “Veterans Party of America.” Robert J Jock, RET USAF, is a member of Chapter 106 Port St Lucie, FL. He served in Korea 1948—Inchon, with the 1st Cav. Div 1950—1951. He submitted this via e-mail. The Korean War Was A Victory, Not A Defeat Therese Park’s “Memorial for the Korean War Veterans” article in the July/August The Graybeards (p. 57) struck a negative note. Her comment about Chinese “volunteers” stepping into the war and mauling U.S. troops, coupled with an immediate comment of a truce two years later, left the impression of a military defeat for UN forces. Nothing could be farther from the truth. Both North Korean forces and Chinese “volunteers,” although vastly outnumbering UN forces, were roundly defeated under the superb leadership of Douglas MacArthur, who was not allowed to take his forces beyond the Yalu River into China. Here are some additional facts that might assist Therese Park in any future contributions to our magazine. From a personal point of view, during late afternoons, before flying night combat missions, I talked with field grade Army personnel about the methods used to decimate Chinese infantry night attackers. Our forces not only defeated the numerically superior Chinese force, but they thrust them back to the Yalu on the ground. In the air, F86s flying from K-14 chalked up a 16:1 kill ratio. It is true that 37,000 Americans died, 103,000 were wounded, and 7,000 captured. However, the Chinese lost more than 900,000 men. I hardly call that a military defeat, or a prelude to a truce. As we well know, the President controls our military. The truce was a political November - December 2005 The Graybeards
move, not one engendered by military leaders. Yes, Americans bled and died, but 20 million South Koreans were saved from slavery and starvation. Also, for those who think beyond the combat itself, the world was saved from a much wider war. Today, South Korea is a vast industrial engine because of the military victory of the Korean War—not the defeat implied in Therese Park’s article. Stanley J. Grogan, 2585 Moraga Drive, Pinole, CA 94564 EDITOR’S NOTE: Ms. Park’s exact words were: The UN troops’ successful amphibious landing at Inchon Harbor two months later reversed the war situation, and the UN troops triumphantly crossed the 38th Parallel and marched farther north, only to be mauled by the Chinese “volunteers,” who had stepped into the Korean War Theater without notice. Until the war ended with the truce two years later, Americans bled and died. The Name Change Was Strictly A Trial Balloon I had intended to write back when this item was fresh, but my copy of The Graybeards, Vol. 18, No. 6, November/December 2004 became displaced (Thanks to grandkids). But so much for that! I have been a Charter, Life member since November 1988, and I still resent certain newly joined (?) members who want to lose the prestige that our magazine had developed over the past 18+ years. Early in our history, a lady veteran decried the name of our magazine as she “did not have a beard, much less a gray one!” I wrote then that it was not fitting for someone who represented “perhaps” some 0.02 % of the personnel who were in Korea during our war to denounce the selected title of our magazine! Nothing was ever heard about that subject again until now! Why???? No one in his right mind would attempt to tell the American Legion or the VFW to change the name of their magazines—even when the original members of both organizations are now disappearing like dew on a hot July day! Would you suggest that Cosmopolitan change its name today??? If this continues, I shall have to take some drastic action to attempt to stop it! Charles L. Collins, Lt Col AUS EN (Ret), 3931 Shamrock Drive Huntsville, AL 35810-34033 EDITOR’S NOTE: We suggested a possible name change for The Graybeards as a trial balloon, but we decided against it. And, we said unequivocally in the May-June 2005 issue of The Graybeards (p.11) that the rumors of a name change for the KWVA are just that: rumors. There are no plans to change either the Association’s name, or the name of The Graybeards. And, hopefully, we will never know what that “drastic action” is. Is This A Feasible Idea? My brother has been submitting WWII obituaries to the WWII Memorial for posterity. I’m wondering if we could do the same thing for everyone who served or fought in the Korean War. If so, we need a place to send them. There should be a computer at the Korean War Memorial in DC that we can send the obits to via snail mail or email. I started to collect them for our guys. My brother does it, as he feels that our WWII guys are leaving and taking their stories with them. I know that there is a move on to video some of them, but many are going without telling their stories. Please let me know what you think. My name is John Varallo, Air Force 1950 to 1953, My E mail is Cjvchurch@aol.com EDITOR’S QUESTION: Is this a feasible idea? Is it already being done? Please let Mr. Varallo—and me—know. More Navy Stories, Please I would like to see more of the Navy’s role in the Korean War i.e., minesweepers. William E. Tinley Editor’s Response: I would, too. Remember, though, that we can only print what members/readers send us. We do not write our own stories. If folks send us more stories about the Navy’s role, we will be happy to run them. Reunion Calendar NOTE: There is no fee required for entries to be published in the “Reunion Calendar.” Entries are made on a “First-come, first-served, as space allows” basis. Korean War-related reunions are given preference. Of course, contributions to the KWVA are always welcome. 2006 MARCH C-1-7, 1st Marine Division (Korea 1950-53), 26-29 March, San Antonio, TX. POC: Gene Cano, (210) 649-1859 or Bill Farrell, (203) 318-1889, willydoro@sbcglobal.net APRIL VF-194, 6-9 Apr. Washington DC. POC: Amos Lewis, (877) 658-4337 or Jim Crumly, P.O. Box 62, Bullhead City, AZ 86430 (928) 754-1757, vf194_reunion@hotmail.com USS Renville (APA 227) 19-23 Apr., Jacksonville, FL, River Front Hilton. POC: Don Wright, 4289 Alex Ave., Cincinnati, OH 45211-5348, jdwrightstuff@cs.com Ship’s website is ussrenvilleapa227.com 151st Combat Engineers (Korea), 27-30 Apr., Branson, MO, Welk Resort. All veterans, family, and friends invited to join us! POC: :Jessie Stewart, (765) 723-1362, jessiestewart@webtv.net USS Cavalier (APA-37), 30 Apr. – 4 May, Ocean Reef Resort, 7100 N. Ocean Blvd, Myrtle Beach, SC 29752, (800) 542-0048 (Refer to Cavalier). Invitees include USCG (1944-46), U.S. Navy (1946-68, WWII, Korea, Vietnam), Embarked staffs (1944-68), and guests. POC: Ralph Hall, (630) 879-5909, Ed Kimble, (775) 751-0213, Carl Short, (843) 237- 4975. Website, http://usscavalierpa37. homestead.com. NOTE: There are two Cavalier reunion groups. #1 is the U.S. Coast Guard group. #2 is the U.S. Navy group. Although they occasionally hold combined reunions, they will hold separate reunions in 2006, and invite any and all Cavalier shipmates to attend. MAY I-3-1, 1st MarDiv (Korea, Sept. 1950 – July 1953), Branson, MO. POC: Victor (“Doc”) Shepherd, 4586 Vermona Drive, Cincinnati, OH 45245-1017, (513) 528-4495, vshepherd@cinci.rr.com or www.ItemCompany31.com AUGUST USS Abnaki (A.F.T. 96), 23-27 Aug., San Antonio, TX, POC: Pete Kingsley, 5320 N. W 66 Pl., Johnston IA 50131, (515) 276-7250, p.ckingsley@att.net, Coordinator, Joe Colombara, 720 E. Country Ln., Collinsville, IL 62234, (618)344-8869, joec96@intertek.net SEPTEMBER GHQ 1st Raider Co/X Corps Sp Opns Co, 20-22 Sept., Spring Green, WI, Round Barn Lodge. POC: Robert Graves, (608) 588-2951.” OCTOBER 160th Inf. 40th Div. (Korea, 1950 to 1953), 12-14 Oct.. Nashville, TN. POC: M/Sgt. Duane E. Whaley, (951) 245-9726, or David Mays (256) 766-3773, EN. VOCMAYS@Bellsouth.net 61 The Graybeards November - December 2005
Page 1 and 2:
2005 KWVA Bylaws (pullout section -
Page 3 and 4:
From the President Friends, Members
Page 5 and 6:
This large poster featuring Rubin w
Page 7 and 8:
A KWVA Dues Explanation… Let’s
Page 9 and 10: POW/MIA Update Kapaun Resolution Ap
Page 11 and 12: BUSINESS REPORT OF BYLAWS COMMITTEE
Page 13 and 14: Recruiting Committee Report BUSINES
Page 15 and 16: BUSINESS Special Report to KWVA Off
Page 17 and 18: eceive retired pay for non-regular
Page 19 and 20: S. 275 - Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-WA)
Page 21 and 22: Humor In Uniform The OD and 10,000
Page 23 and 24: Airman Kelly is fixing the fence po
Page 25 and 26: Monuments and Medals Korea: the For
Page 27 and 28: THE 2005 KOREAN WAR VETERANS CONVEN
Page 29 and 30: Col. DePyssler declares the “Mess
Page 31 and 32: Two unidentified 3rd Recon Co. memb
Page 33 and 34: ...................................
Page 35 and 36: 1st Radio Squadron Mobile 1st RSM a
Page 37 and 38: Members of 37 are pictured 29’s E
Page 39 and 40: 82 ALBUQ UQUERQUE #1 [NM] 82 Jack R
Page 41 and 42: 159 SUNSHINE ST SUNSHINE STATE TE [
Page 43 and 44: Don Sams commands 188’s Color Gua
Page 45 and 46: (L-R) Dick and Denise Predmore, Mar
Page 47 and 48: included trips to Ft. Hood, meals i
Page 49 and 50: 30’s Tell America Team (L-R) Carl
Page 51 and 52: • Jake Feaster, Micanopy, FL, Mem
Page 53 and 54: Building new living quarters for 60
Page 55 and 56: soiled from wearing under my shirt.
Page 57 and 58: MOH Recipient Joseph C. Rodriguez D
Page 59: patrol that was less than a squad.
Page 63 and 64: Displays at the Teterboro M.A.S.H.
Page 65 and 66: plane left, we took inventory and f
Page 67 and 68: Tokyo, and the corporal from the 2n
Page 69 and 70: Recon Missions Looking For Informat
Page 71 and 72: was dark and they were clear of the
Page 73 and 74: Revisit Korea These are the types o
Page 75 and 76: plus other cultural/industrial faci
Page 77 and 78: Cpl. Beard at field inspection Red
Page 79 and 80: Official Membership Application For
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